Cleaning apparatus



May 5, 1925. v

. E. THOMAS CLEANING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 File June 29, 1923 Al IORNEY Q I Earle 2 INVENTOR WITNESSIJ May 5, 1925.

E. THOMAS CLEANING APPARATUS Filed June 29, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EarZe mamas- ATTORNEY PATENT OFFICE.

EARLE THOMAS, O'F'POCATELIlO, IDAHO.

I CLEANING APPARATUS.

Application filed June 29, 1923. Serial No. 648,639.

I To all whom it may concern:

. a slight modification.

Be it known that I, EanLn THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pocatello, in the county of Bannock and State of Idaho, have invented new and use ful Improvements in Cleaning Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to a clothes cleaning apparatus of the character known as the dry cleaning process.

The primary ob ect of my invention is the production of a clothes cleaning apparatus in which gasoline is used as the cleansing agent, and is continuously circulated through the machine in which the clothes to be cleaned are placed, and in Which'the fluid is caused to pass through filtering and clarifying means before entering and after pass-. ing through the machine so that only purified fluid can act on the clothes in the cleaning process.

The invention further consists in the novel construction, combination and operative association of parts hereinafter set forth and specifically pointed out in the appended claims. p

In the drawings which accompany and which form part of this application Figure 1 is a side elevation of a clothes cleaning apparatus in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view through the storage and sediment tank of the improvement.

Figure 3 is a similar view but illustrating Fi ure 4 is a sectional view through the filtering tank.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the filtering screens.

Figure 6 is a plan view of one of the pumps, with parts in section.

I Figure 7 is a similar view of the other The clothes containing machine, commonly called the Washer is indicated, in Figure 1 of the drawings, by the numeral 1. The washer is of the prdinary character and therefore a detailed description of its'oonstruction will not be set forth.

Buried below and at one side of the washer 1 there is a combined storage and sediment gasoline tank 2. The tank has its body preferably cylindrical and its bottom flared inwardly or cone-sha ed, as at 3. Below the bottom 3' the tank 18 formed with a its passage controlled by a valve 9.

- conical extension 4, there being a comparzb tively small opening 5 at the apex of the bottom 3 that communicates with the extension or auxiliary bottom 4. In the showing of Figure 2 ofthe drawings the bottom 3 is fitted into the tank, and the bottom & is integrally formed therewith, while in the showing of F igure 3, the bottom 3' at its apex which is provided with the opening 5' is flanged outwardly, as at 6 and from thence flared inwardly to provide the auxiliarybottom 4. Suitable brace means 7 is arranged between the bottoms 3 and 4. By such arrangements two gasoline clarifying tanks are provided, the sediment from the gasoline will fall by gravity from the bottom 3 or 3' of the tank through the opening 5 or 5' into the auxiliary or sub-bottoms 4: or 4: so that the gasoline in the upper part of the tank is not of itself disturbed by the incoming gasoline and the sediment from the auxiliary or sub-bottoms -may be pumped therefrom in a manner which will presently be described.

Arrangedat the bottom of the Washer 1 I there is a gasoline discharge pipe 8 that iilals e pipe 8 communicates with a strainer 10, and the said strainer has attached to its bottom an outlet pipe 11 provided with a trap 12 to which is connected a pipe 13 that is in turn connected to the gasoline intake pipe 14 for the tank 2. The intake pipe terminates in a line approximately with the juncture of the tank 2 with its bottom 3 or 3, and has attached to the end thereofa T 15 whereby incoming fluid will find an outlet in two directions against the flared wall of the bot-.

tom 3 or 3' of the said tank.

The gasoline outlet pipe 16 from the tank 2, in Figure 2 of the drawings, terminates only a slight distance below the upper closed top of the tank, while.that disclosed in Fig' ure 3 of the drawings is in the nature of a U pipe 17, the upper inlet end of which,

however, being arranged a distance from the closed top of the tank substantially equallin that of the pipe disclosed in Figure 3.

fn a line with the washer 1 there is a table 18. On the top of the table there are supported two pumps- 219 and 20 respectively. Between the pumps there is supported on the table a filtering chamber 21. The pipe 16 terminates in a branch 22 suitably supported by the table, the branch pipe 22 having its second end connected with a pipe 23 that is directed through the tank 2, through the opening in the bottom 3 or 3 thereof and terminates only a slight distance above the apex of the sub or auxiliary bottom 4 or 4'. The passage through the pipe 22 is controlled by two valves 24 and respectively, and the pipe 22 has a branch between the valves connected directly with a port or pipe 26 that leads to a laterally extending pipe or port 27 that communicates with both cylinders 28 and 29 of the pump 19. Both pumps 19 and are of the twocylinder suction and discharge class. The cylinder pipe or port 27 has a c ntral branch 30 disposed in a line with but directed opposite from the pipe 26, and this pipe is connected by suitable couplings to a pipe The pipe 31, to the opposite sides of its connection with the pipe 30 has its passage controlled by valves 32 and 33 respe tively. The valves 24, 25, 32 and 33 have suitable operating handles disposed to one side of the table. The pipe 31 leads directly to and communicates with the upper portion of the filtering chamber 21. The filtering chamher is of a particular and peculiar construction, the same including a cylindrical body portion 34 flared outwardly and upwardly at its open top portion, as at and formed with an annular extension 36. The extension provides the top proper of the filtering chamber, the open top, however, being closed by a suitable flanged cap 37. The pipe 31, at the portion thereof which enters the top 36 of the filtering chamber 21 has a T or angle coupling 38 connected therewith so that gasoline will be directed against a downwardly inclined bafllc plate 39 secured in the top portion of the filtering chamber. In the bottom portion 34 of the chamber there are any desired number ofnested tiltering screens. Each of the screens includes a ring-like body 39 having a foraminous bottom 40 and a strap or plate 4]- connecting its upper edge. Thus, each of the filtering elements is in the nature of a basket, and in each of the baskets there is arranged a suitable filtering medium-42. The bottan. of the filtering chamber may be provided with suitable means for supporting the lowermost filtering basket, therein, and the said bottom is provided with an outlet pipe 43 that communicates with the top of the washer 1. The filtering chamber 21, above the bafile 34 has connected thereto an outlet pipe 44, which also communicates with the washer 1 above the pipe 43.

The operation, as far as the description has so far progressed, may be briefly described as .follows:

Clothes are placed in the washer 1. Before the pump 19 is in operation, the valves 25 and 32 are closed. and the valves 24 and 33 are opened. The pump no-woperares to suck gasoline through the pipe line 16, forcing the same through the filtering chamber 21, through the washersl, causing the same to return to the tank 2, through the pipe 1), filter 10, pipes 13 and 14. Gasoline carries therewith the dirt from the clothes in the washer 1. The impure gasoline is delivered into the tank 2 a considerable distance below the clarified gasoline thereabove. The impurities from the gasoline will be precipitated from the conical bottom 3 or'3 of the tank into the auxiliary conical bottom 4 or 4'. The bottom 4 or 4 is really in the nature of a sediment chamber, and all impurities from the gasoline will be delivered thereinto.

An excess of gasoline in the filter 21 will be returned to the tank 2 by a pipe 45 connected between the overflow pipe 44 and the pipe 14. Between the pipe 8 and the washer 1 there is a by-pass 46 which, in connection with the pipes 8, 11 and 13 will permit of all gasoline being drained from the Washer 1 when the pumps are not in operation, so that fire hazards are reduced to a minimum inasmuch as no gasoline will remain above the ground surface when the apparatus is not in use. The pipes connected between the tank 2 and the pumps serve as drainage for gasoline between the pumps and the said tank.

The numeral 47 designates a storage tank for clean gasoline, the same being embedded in the ground to one side of the tank 2. The inlet pipe for the tank 47 is indicated by the numeral 48, and the outlet pipe therefor by the numeral 49. This last mentioned pipe is connected directly with the pump 20 whereby gasoline may be drawn from the tank 47 and delivered from the pump through a pipe 50 into the washer l or other washers as may be used. Additional washers are connected by branches from line so with a control valve at each washer. Both pumps 1%) and 20 may be used simultaneously in some cases and are connected so as to be interchangeable, it necessary.

The numeral 51. designates a vent pipe for the tank 47, the same being connected to a similar pipe 52 for the tank 2. The pipe 52 is extended above the ground surface and serves as a vent for both the tanks 2 and 47.

When the valves 24 and 33 are closed and the valves 25 and 32 are opened, the pump 19 is operated to suck the gasoline from the sediment compartment 4 or 4 in the tank 2. It is, of course, to be understood that a clarifying agent may be arranged in the sediment compartment of the tank2, and it will be apparent from the foregoing description when taken in connection with. the drawings that my apparatus will occupy comparatively small floor space, is positive in action, will dry-clean clothes in an ellicient manner without injury thereto and Ill) offers-a lesser degree of fire hazard than any from as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. 1

Having described the invention, I claim 2- 1. In a dry process clothes cleaning apparatus, a washer in which the clothes to be cleaned are placed, a gasoline and sediment tank, a pump for drawing gasoline from the top of the sediment tank and for directing the same into the washer at the top thereof, means for filtering the gasoline before entering the washer, an overflow for the filtering means connected with the sediment tank, an outlet pipe for the bottom of the washer entering and terminating adjacont to the bottom of the sediment tank, and a strainer in said outlet.

2. In a dry process clothes cleaning apparatus in which-gasoline is used as a cleaning agent, comprising a washer in which the clothes to becloaned are placed, a gasoline storage and sediment tank having an inwardly flared bottom located away from the washer, a pump for drawing gasoline from the top of the sediment tank to inject the same ,into the washer adjacent the top thereof, a filter through which the gasoline passes before entering the washer, an overflow pipe connected with the filter and with the sediment tank, a gasoline outlet at the bottom of the washer entering the sediment tank, a strainer in said pipe, and an angle overflow pipe between the washer and the outlet pipe.

3. In a clothes cleaning apparatus in which a continuous flow of gasoline is employedas a cleansing agent, a washer in which the clothes to be cleaned are placed, a gasoline storage'and sediment tank hav ing an inwardly flared bottom arranged away and below the washer, a pump, valved pipes connected thereto whereby gasoline may be drawn from the top of the sediment tank and injected into the washer adjacent to the top thereof, a chamber in the inlet pipe to the washer, removable filter agents therein, an overflow pipe between the chamber and the sediment tank, a valve ,controlled gasoline outlet between the bottom of the washer and the sediment tank, a strainer in said pipe, and an overflow pipe between the outlet pipe and the washer.

4. In a dry process clothes cleaning apparatus, a washer in which clothes to be cleaned are placed, a combined gasoline. and sediment tank comprising a member having a cone-shaped bottom and a cone-shaped sub-bottom with which the main bottom communicates, a'pump for drawing gasoline from the top of the sediment tank, a strainer through which the gasoline is forced from the pump, a pipe between the strainer and the washer, a return pipe from the washer to the sediment tank, a strainer in said pipe, a trap in said pipe, means for feeding gasoline into the sediment tank, and means operated by the pump for withdrawing the sediment from sediment tank.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

' EAR-LE THOMAS.

the sub-bottom of the 

